May. 16, 2008
Destination Disney - Hotels and Resorts

Today's Destination Disney is Hotels and Resorts.

I have A LOT of Disney knowledge on The All Star Resorts and some knowledge on the Coronado. All of the other resorts I have basically visited, eww and awed over, probably actually drooled over, and coveted staying at, but never actually laid my head down in one.


Now since we live only an hour of way from the front gates of Disney, we go there quiet often, but we've only stayed there a few times.

First off and probably most important! If I had the choice of spending A LOT of money on a hotel verses spending it on or in the Disney parks, I would DEFINITELY spend it at the parks.  Especially if it's your first time. You spend most of your time at the parks anyways and the resorts just become a place to lay your head at night.

When staying at Disney there's always a given. NO MATTER where you stay it's going to be pretty nice. Disney does NOTHING lack luster and all their hotels have something to bring a smile to your face.

I'll break it down this way.

For families with little ones
( big kids like this too)

I suggest the ALL STAR hotels. They are all themed hotels - Movies (My particular favorite), Music, and Sports.  These resorts are a lot of fun to stay out. Your surrounded by all kinds of great memorabilia of Disney stuff and it's very family friendly.

Awhile back we decided to splurge a little and stay at the Coronado Resort. It was a 'nice' resort to stay at but I was let down with the choices of where to eat.

I love how the All Star resorts have a central Food Court that always has a TON of options for the family to choose from. When we stayed at the Coronado we actually drove over to the All Star Movies to eat one day so we could just hang out there.

The pools aren't as exciting as the more expensive resorts but they are in fun shapes AND their heated year round.

The rooms are themed too and depending on which All Star you stay out, you'll have different comforters, light boxes and other fun stuff in your room.

For Families that want Luxury verses Fun:
The hotels that I like to gawk at our the Wilderness Lodge, The Beach and Yacht Club, and the Animal Kingdom. These hotels are truly BEAUTIFUL and if I never had to worry about money , I would stay in any one of these.

A fun, non expensive way, to experience these resorts is to visit during Christmas time. Starting the day after Thanksgiving, Disney  goes all out decorating their hotels.  Just about every year, our family takes a day and parks at the Boardwalk hotel ( you just tell the security that your there to see the decorations) and we spend the day checking out all the great decorations. Carousels made out of chocolate, beautiful Christmas trees made out of pointsetta's. Just breathtaking.

And don't leave the Beach and Yacht club without stopping by the Ice Cream parlor and ordering up the Kitchen Sink for the family. YUMO!!  I'll tell you more about that another time.

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May. 16, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

We are thinking about staying at one of the disney hotels when we come down toward the end of the year. We are also looking at maybe renting a house. We found a couple online that look pretty nice. Year before last we stayed at Orange Lakes. My uncle is part of rci and we got his discount ~ so it was pretty cheap. And boy do I wish we could stay there again!
Michelle (raisinglittlewome)

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May. 16, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

So do you live an hour N, S, E or W? We are 1 hour away as well, and do plenty of day trips during the year - but we also go and stay over plenty as well!

I like the value resorts, we have stayed at all of them. Pop is our favorite (because of the blue slushy machine :)

Anyway, I am near Tampa and very blessed to be so close!

Dana
www.raretreasures.blogspot.com

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May. 16, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

I agree that the food courts at the values are so nice for families. Having all those options sure helps! I enjoyed your post!

Lauren from baseballsandbows@blogspot.com

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May. 17, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

What a great perspective on the All Star resorts.

Thanks for joining in.

Jennifer at Snapshot.

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May. 19, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by rose22697

Hi, ( I'm not rose22697, I'm her mom) oops, Anyway, we also live about 45 min from Disney and are blessed to have parents that work there(Dad is retiring in June :-( ) We used to go 3 or 4 times a year but now it's down to 2 or 3. The only resort we've stayed at is Fort Wilderness Campground, and we thought that was pretty cool. Our fav. places to eat are Tony's on Mainstreet USA and Chef Mickey's.

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